Reversing switch



Sept. 7 1926.

H. v. HAIGHT- REVERSING SWITCH I v Filed June 26, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet Sept. 7 192s. 1,599,232

H. V. HAIGHT REVERSING SWITCH Filed June 26, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 avwentoz Patented Sept. 7, 1926.-

UNITED STATES.

1,599,232 PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY v. mom, or snnmmooxa, QUEBEC, cANAnA, ASSIGNOR 'ro INGERSOLL- RAND COMPANY, 01 JERsEYcI'rY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION 012' NEW JERSEY.

nave-name s'wrrcul Application fled June 26, 1925; Serial No. 39,669.

This invention relates to switches, but more particularly to switches adapted to be manipulated by pneumatically actuated'mechanism.

As is well known, it is impossible to stop the electric current instantly when the switch throu h which it is flowing is opened and an are 18 formed as the switch con-" tacts separate. The are thus formed tends to burn the contact, the severity of such actio'n depending upon the voltage and the proximity of the switch contacts. Various means have been devised to counteract this tendency, as for instance, a multiple break form switch; still another method common- 1y employed is to surround the gap between the terminals with oil.

An object of the invention is to direct exhaust pressure fluid from the switch operating mechanism against the switch terminals for extinguishing an electric are formed as the circuit is broken.

Another object is to protect the switch contact against burnin and a further object is to enable a switc to be opened quickly in order to reduce the arcing period to a minimum.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention consists of the combination of .elements, features of construction and arrangement of parts, having the general.

mode of operation substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly pointcd out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

which Figure 1 is a .front view in elevationof a switch board showing the reversing switch and the operating mechanism, 7

Figure 2 is an end view of Figure 1 showing the switches in neutral position,

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation taken through Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows, and

Figure 4 is a View in elevation partly in section taken through Figure 1 on the line 4-4 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a panel of suitable insulating material, mounted upon a frame B and secured thereto by meansof bolts C. Arranged at one side of the panel A is a cylinder D. A similar cylinder D is arranged at the opposite end of said panel and is inverted.

reversing The cylinders are in this instance sup ported by suitable brackets E mounted on the panel A' and secured thereto by bolts F. I i

In addition to supporting the cylinders D, the brackets E also provide-a bearing for a rectangular shaft G, which in thisinstance,extends somewhat beyond the panel- A at its ends. Arranged upon the shaft G clamps L are insulated by a suitablenonconducting member P. Arranged intermediate the bridges J and K is ,a negative terminal post Q, and positive terminal posts R and S are provided for the outer terminals of the bridges J and K respectively.

In order to protect the contacting face 1 of the bridges against burning when the switch'is opened, a flexible blade U is provided and is curved at one end as at V, and the other end carries a removable arcing tip WV. The blade U is preferably somewhat longer than the bridge upon whichit is mounted and is curved to extend slightly below the contacting face T ofsaid bridge. Thus, when the bridge is removed from the terminal, current will continue to flow through the flexible blade U and prevent the forming of an are between the face T of the bridge and the terminal post.

To insure uniform contact between the face 1 of the bridges and the terminal posts,' a saddle X to which the bridges are clamped by means of bolts Y is pivoted to the ends of the supports H as at Z.

In order to rock the bridges J and'K simultaneously in opposite directions byfiuid actuated means for closing the switch,'. the cylinders D and D are provided with a piston b carrying a rod 0. il-bearing (l is secured to the rod 0 and is provided with a I fluid from the cylinders is exhausted through a pipe p. ln order to prevent leakage of pressure fluid between the plunger 72 and the valve chest, a cup leather 9 is arranged at the upper end of said plunger and is in this instance held in position by a hollow screw and a washer s. A plug in this instance forms a closure 3501' the outer end or the valve chest.

Means are provided for forming a perfect s al between the valve plunger 73, and its seat, and to 's end a removable plate at is arranged at the lower end of the valve and is recessed to receive a washer mot leather or other suitable material, to Zorm a contacting face for the valve with its seat. The washer and plate are prererably secured to the end of the valve by a ollow nut to.

To the end that the switch may automaticcally he rocked to a neutral position when the air in the cylinders is released, spring to is arranged coaxially with the piston h and rests at one end on hearing 3 secured to the bracket by means of screws 2.

carries a spring seat 3 in one end and is screw threaded at its other end to receive a pair of nuts 4 whereby the tension of the spring may be varied. a rod 5 secured at one end to the bearing (Z is adapted to slide in the sleeve 2 to hold said sleeve and the spring a; central with the piston o. 7

ln accordance with the present invention, the exhaust pipe p is extended across the face of the panel A and is provided with lateral pipes 6. The pipes 6 are preferably so arranged that their outlet opening is directed toward the point of final break of the switches which, this instance, is the arcing tips W.

In the operation. of the device, assuming that air is being admitted into the valve chest j through the control pipe 0, the air thus entering the valve chest will act against the outer face of the valve it and press said valve firmly on its seat. Pressure fluid then p'asses'through the passage is of the valve which moves the piston to the position shown Figure In 's way, the shaft G is rocked to such a pc on that bridge J pressed firmly on the terminal posts it an c i d at the is bridge K r posts and L spring moved a is com outwardly through finder is suitably restricts to enable the switch to he closed quickly without shock.

A sleeve- 2 is arranged slidably in the hearing 3 and Upon closing the supply of the control pipe 0, the air remaining in the outer end of the valve chest j may be released, whereupon the valve plunger 72; will be instantly raised from its seat by the pressure fluid in the cylinder to'open the cylinder to the exhaust pipe g). Upon the exhaust of pressure fluid from the cylinder, the spring a; moves the piston toward the outer end of the cylinder and opens the switch. The connections between the bridges and the cylinders for extinguishing the arc are so arranged that the pressure fluid is released from the cylinders simultaneously with the arcing period of the switch. In this way, the exhaust pressure fluid issuing from the pipe 6 will pass through the gap between the positive terminal post and the tips V and quickly and efiect-ively extinguish the arc.

1 claim:

In a reversing switch the combination of a panel, an oscillatory shaft mounted on said panel, a plurality of bridges constituting a switch supported by the shaft, 21 pair of opposed air cylinders mounted on the panel, a piston in each. cylinder, a rod on each piston connected to the shaft to rock the bridges simultaneously upon admission of pressure fluid to the cylinders for closing the switch, means actuated by pressure fluid to control the admission of pressure fluid to the cylinders for closing the switch, a spring on each rod for simultaneously rocking the bridges to a neutral position, and apipe connected with each cylinder whereby exhaust pressure fluid from the cylinder may be directed to the switch simultaneously with the opening of said switch for extinguishing an electric arc.

2. In a reversing switch the combination of a panel, an oscillatory shaft mounted on said panel, a plurality of bridges constituting a switch supported by the shaft, an air cylinder on one side of the panel, a similar cylinder on the opposite side of the panel, a valve in each cylinder to control the admission of pressure fluid into the cylinders, a reciprocatory piston in each cylinder, said pistons being connected to rock the shaft for opening and closing the switch, a spring opposing each piston adapted to return the switch to a neutral position upon the release oi air from the cylinders, means Ior adjusting the tension of said springs, T a pipe connected with each cylinder reby exhaust pressure fluid from the cylinders may he directed to the switch simultaneously with the opening of the switch for extinguishing an electric arc.

testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

HARRY V. HAIGHT. 

